Do You Need a Dedicated Electrical Circuit?

February 2, 2021

Modern kitchen — San Diego, CA — White Horse Electric

Do you have expensive electrical appliances in your home that you want to ensure work safely? Does your circuit breaker often trip if you run many appliances at the same time? It’s a sign that you need to install dedicated circuits for your appliances.

What is a Dedicated Circuit?

Your home’s electrical system contains an amalgam of circuits that are used to distribute electricity around. Circuit breakers are switches designed specifically to break the circuit if there’s a power overload or if there’s a lot of electricity drawn.

If there’s a circuit that solely supports a single appliance, it means that it’s a dedicated circuit with its own electrical box and a circuit breaker. It ensures that all appliances that demand high power get an ample amount of amperage so that they can safely operate without tripping.

Circuit breaker — San Diego, CA — White Horse Electric

While Home Appliances Need a Dedicated Circuit?

According to the National Electrical Code, all major appliances in the house should have dedicated circuits. They include dishwashers, refrigerators, microwave ovens, washers and dryers, heat pumps, furnaces, and AC system.

If you use the same outlets for small appliances and your circuit breaker frequently trips, its best that you install a dedicated circuit for them. Small appliances that usually draw a lot of electricity include electric heaters, hairdryers, window AC, toaster, and sump pumps.

How Can You Tell if an Appliance Has a Dedicated Circuit?

Pay attention to things that make your breakers trip.

You’ll see that you can operate your microwave oven and blender, but as soon as you turn on the toaster, your circuit breaker trips. It shows that non the three outlets for these appliances are working on a dedicated circuit. It the issue persists every time you turn on the appliances, you should consider installing a dedicated circuit.

Read the Electrical Box

If you had an experienced electrical contractor installing the wiring in your home, they must’ve labeled the circuits on the electrical box. Check your electrical box for labels, and you’ll find if there are any appliances in your home with a dedicated circuit.

White Horse Electric’s Expert Residential Services in San Diego, CA

Contact White Horse Electric for the best residential electrical services. Our residential electricians in San Diego can take care of your electrical appliances and help you avoid any unforeseen, unfortunate events because of fluctuating voltages or faulty wiring. Our licensed electrical contractors also manage industrial and commercial projects.

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